“The homeless are our mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers. We need to protect our community.”
— Steve Huston

NEST began in response to several freezing deaths on the streets of Nome. Creating a shelter was a community grassroots effort to prevent exposure related death by providing a warm, safe place to sleep for anyone in need. With no operating funds and donated space in a local church; an entirely volunteer staff, NEST opened its doors on nights when the weather was predicted to reach -10 F, or wind-chill of -10, the temperature zone of highest risk of exposure-related death.  Funded through State and federal grants, local donations and community support, the shelter located at the Karmun Center of Nazarene Church, now operates for six of the coldest months of the year.  Local churches provide hot soups each night to provide a warm meal to our shelter guests.

This homeless program is a “wet shelter” for chronically unhoused, many of whom are dependent upon substance use to cope with mental and physical health challenges, repeated trauma and poverty.  The shelter serves an average of 40-45 individuals each night with nearly 250 unique individuals among those who use the shelter during the season.
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NEST
Physical Location: The Karmun Center
​(The Nazarene Church: corner of 2nd Ave. and Division St.)
Mailing Address: PO Box 98, Nome, AK 99762
Phone: (907) 443-5259
Community Outreach Manager: Bessie Pagel, [email protected]